Through education sessions, tastings, and networking events, the 13th annual ACSA Convention & Expo in Sacramento brought together professionals from across the craft spirits industry.
A Spotlight on Community
The 13th Annual American Craft Spirits Convention & Expo welcomed a broad and engaged community, with 40% of attendees participating for the first time. That mix of new and returning faces shaped the atmosphere throughout the event, with well‑attended education sessions and informal networking around the venue.
During ACSA’s Town Hall, Becky Harris, co-founder, president, and master distiller of Catoctin Creek in Purcellville, Virginia, surprised Margie Lehrman, ACSA CEO Emeritus, with the Gable Erenzo Spirit of Community Award. Harris, a past president of ACSA’s Board of Directors and current Board member, was the 2025 recipient of the award.
The Gable Erenzo Spirit of Community Award recognizes the generosity of spirit, resilience, and resourcefulness to advance the interests of our small business entrepreneurs. (Click to learn more)
The award was named for someone who embodied all of those attributes, whom the craft spirits community lost far too soon. Gable Erenzo was the co-founder (along with his father Ralph, and Brian Lee) of Tuthilltown Spirits, and he later founded Gardiner Liquid Mercantile in Gardiner, N.Y. Gable passed away suddenly in 2021. He was known throughout the industry as someone who wouldn’t hesitate to help his craft spirits peers. It is given for an extraordinary commitment of time, working selflessly through weekdays, nights, and weekends; and to someone who puts the needs of the association and our business community before any personal aims.
Education To Move the Industry Forward
Before entering the convention center, attendees explored the region through Sacramento and surrounding area distillery tours, featuring stops at:
Dao Distillery
Midtown Spirits
Sabbatical Distillery
UC Davis Teaching & Research Winery / UC Davis Agave Center
St. George Distillery
Across two education-packed days in the convention center, attendees explored three robust tracks designed to meet the evolving needs of craft distillers: Business & Marketing, Sales & Distribution, and Technical & Production.
More than 45 sessions offered deep dives into strategy, operations, and innovation. Standout presentations included:
- “The Competitive Edge: What the Best Craft Distilleries Do Differently” with Maria Pearman, CPA, Food and Beverage Practice Leader at GHJ
- “How to Make Smaller Budgets Have a Bigger Impact” with Chris Buglisi, CFO, COO, and co‑founder of Misunderstood Brands
A new session, “Retailer Roundtable: The State of Craft on the Shelf,” offered valuable perspective from the buyer’s side of the marketplace. Taylor Cathala (Whole Foods Market), Josh Gelfand (K&L Wine Merchants), and Rohit Nayyar (RoCo Wine & Spirits) shared insights on what drives purchasing decisions today, with moderation by Jordan Cotton (Cotton & Reed Distillery).
Workshops, Meetings, and Milestones
The days leading into and surrounding the convention were equally eventful, with:
- Pre‑Convention Distribution Workshop
- TTB Bootcamp
- Committee Meetings
- Guild Meetings
ACSA also hosted a PAC Reception at Midtown Distillery and celebrated the next generation of industry leaders during the STEPUP Foundation Graduation.
This year’s event embraced the flavors of California with two exhibition‑floor tastings spotlighting the state’s distilleries, one during a lunchtime session and another during the welcome reception.
That welcome reception also hosted the first‑ever ACSA Cornhole Tournament, where Speyside Bourbon Cooperage clinched the win. The celebration continued with ice cream and snacks that kept the energy high well into the evening.
Celebration of Excellence in Craft Spirits
The 2026 Awards Luncheon was one of the most anticipated moments of the convention, bringing together distillers from across the country to honor the 2026 American Craft Spirits Awards recipients. In addition to the prestigious Best in Show, Best of Class, and Innovation distinctions, the judging panel awarded an impressive number of medals that highlighted both technical excellence and bold experimentation:
- 10 double-gold medals
- 22 gold medals
- 97 silver medals
- 124 bronze medals
The celebration continued into the final evening of the convention with the Grand Tasting of American Craft Spirits. Attendees sampled medal-winning spirits from across the country, discovered new favorites, and celebrated the collective achievements of an industry that continues to grow in influence and creativity.
Looking Back on Sacramento
The 2026 ACSA Convention & Expo served as a reminder of the strength, creativity, and camaraderie that define the craft spirits community. With expert‑led sessions, shared moments on the expo floor, or lighthearted cornhole matches, the event showcased the connections and energy that continue to sustain the industry.
We’re already looking forward to what comes next for the annual convention, and to raising a glass with you again soon.
Tags: ACSA convention American Craft Spirits American Craft Spirits Convention & Expo Craft Spirits Craft Spirits Magazine
